Republican Party of Minnesota v. White, Chairperson, Minnesota Board of Judicial Standard — O'Connor, J…

Summary

Justice O'Connor concurred in the judgment but expressed concerns that electing judges undermines impartiality regardless of campaign speech restrictions. She argued that electoral pressure may create personal stakes in case outcomes and campaign costs may render judges indebted to interest groups. While joining the majority, she concluded the state's restriction on speech is troubling given it chose contested judicial elections.